While Mark poorly recovered in the laboratory the next day, Konray and Ethan headed towards the Tear Stealer's mansion.

    The two of them sat in a sleek, black vehicle, watching as the Evolved City flitted by.

    It had been a while since Konray had stepped foot outside the city, so she watched the buildings pass like an excited child. Her eyes sparkled when they reached Vella, the village, driving past the old, 19th-century-like huts and houses.

    Ethan, on the other hand, wrung his hands together. He was both nervous and infuriated; his friend Mark was involved, after all, and the mere possibility of the Tear Stealer being behind it had his blood boiling.

    Konray looked over at Ethan as the car passed over a rugged bump. Their heads nearly hit the ceiling.

    "Hey," she said softly. "Just let me do all the talking, alright? You just relax and be my bodyguard."

    She softly laughed at that, and Ethan managed a smile, rolling his eyes. He appreciated her trying to cheer him up, but he still couldn't shake the fact that Mark was in danger. Who knows what was happening to him now...

    Maybe he was dead. The thought didn't seem so unsure this time.

    "Alright..." Ethan muttered, gazing out the window.

    The car was slowing now, pulling over next to the thick, dense border of Fanged Elder trees.

    Ethan's brows furrowed. He knew the Tear Stealer's address, but he didn't expect it to be in the middle of nowhere. He glanced over at the driver, raising a brow.

    "You sure this is the place?" he asked.

    "Foot path only," said the driver. He jabbed a thumb towards the forest, and Ethan squinted. "Makes it harder for T.S. to traverse."

Now that he looked closer, he could see a small, worn path. His insides twisted.

    "Oh," he mumbled.

    "Thanks," said Konray, placing a few coins on the elbow rest. She nodded at Ethan and exited the car, and he followed suit. Once they were outside, the car left, leaving in a cloud of dust.

    Ethan gazed down the path, finding only darkness. A wave of dread passed through him.

    "You know," said Konray, pulling him out of his trance, "these trees protect us from human forces, but I've only ever seen them in person once or twice."

    She smiled, looking up at the Fanged Elders. They loomed high above, grey and thick and menacing. There was a beauty to the horror.

    "You ready?" she asked, glancing at Ethan.

    He wrung his hands together, wearily nodding. "Yeah..." he muttered. "You're sure there aren't any... weird creatures in there?"

    Konray smiled, leaning over to ruffle his hair.

    "Positive," she said, walking forward. She pushed back a large clump of leaves, gazing back at Ethan. "Come on."

    Ethan swallowed, then followed after her, shuddering when the thick, sandpaper-like leaves brushed against him. It felt like they were transported into another world once they fully entered the forest. The canopy was thick, and the masses of trees loomed over them menacingly. It was dark for this time of day—too dark. The shadows so thick their eyes took a while to adjust.

    Konray led the way, the items in her bulging pockets clinking loudly. Ethan tried focusing on the sound as a means to distract himself, eyes constantly flitting from the canopy to the black underbrush. The limbs of the trees reached out at them, sharp and glistening with morning dew.

    "Kon," muttered Ethan, huddling behind her, "if the Tear Stealer really doesn't care... what'll we do?"

    He stepped around a pile of thorny leaves, flinching when a twig snapped beneath his shoes.

    "We're just—assuming he'll hear us out!" he continued.

    Konray hummed, glancing over her shoulder at him. "Then..." Her gaze panned up to the canopy. "I don't know."

    Ethan's face paled at that, and he clenched his fists, trying to keep himself from shaking.

    "He might kill us," he said, voice wavering.

    Konray pursed her lips at that, considering the possibility. She stopped in the middle of the path, feet stirring up the black leaves. Ethan did the same, blinking at her.

    "I'm going to call Sojour," she said, pulling out a clunky device that looked like a flip phone. "If he does happen to be... violent..."

    Konray pressed a few buttons, sending a message through the device. She rummaged through her many pockets and fished out two circular stickers.

    "Put this on," she said, handing it over to Ethan. "It'll record everything and send it live to Sojour. So if we end up dead, she'll at least have more evidence to get to the bottom of this."

    Ethan took a deep breath and nodded, peeling off the sticker and placing it beneath his shirt. Konray did the same, double-checking them. With a nod, she resumed walking, and Ethan stumbled after her.

    They didn't speak for the rest of the walk, the mere idea of confronting the Tear Stealer intimidating. Leaves and twigs crunched beneath their feet, crackling the silence between them. After a long, dreadful walk, the neighbourhood of large, prestigious homes opened up before them.

    It was a single street, black, cold, and wide. Houses lined the sides, their frigid walls bleeding with a numb aura.

    Both Ethan and Konray shuddered when they saw it.

    It was desolate, bare... one could have sworn it was abandoned, not a single breath of life.

    Ethan swallowed and hesitantly walked forward, scanning the numbers on the mailboxes. As abandoned as it felt, it seemed as if eyes were prying on them from every facet of the street, scrutinizing them. It was clear that they were low-lifes; they didn't deserve to be anywhere near the High houses.

    Ethan stuffed his hands in his pockets, shivering, but before he could glance back at Konray, his eyes caught over a car in the distance.

    His heart raced, and his eyes widened.

    He recognized that Tesla from anywhere.

    "Kon!" he whisper-shouted, pointing. "That's Mark's car!"

    Konray joined his side, following his finger. "Is it really?"

    Ethan nodded, and he jogged towards it, Konray at his side. They walked up to it, and Ethan peered through the window, breath fogging up the glass. A flare of hope surged through him.

    "They kept his car," breathed Ethan.

    Konray glanced down the street, eyeing the numbers of the houses. Her eyes narrowed.

    "Or they had no idea it was here," she said. Ethan rose a brow at that, and she pointed towards the scariest-looking house of them all. It reeked of death.

"4427 is down there."

    Ethan's heart sank. He breathed hard, swallowing back the emotions threatening to spill from him.

    "What if he doesn't answer?" muttered Ethan, wavering in his place.

    "No 'what if's'," she said, pulling out the clunky device. She nodded, finding that their audio was still intact. "Come on... let's get this over with."

    Ethan trembled, but he nodded, forcing himself to walk forward.

    "Kon," he said, "if he does... kill us, I..."

    Konray shook her head, holding up a hand to stop him.

    "I appreciate you too, buddy," she said. "But not now."

    They stood at the front of 4427, but there wasn't a driveway. Just a lawn of dark, tall grass, and a line of Fanged Elder trees. It didn't look like there was a house there at all.

    Konray took a deep breath, then patted Ethan on the back harshly.

    "Now or never," she said, trudging through the tall grass and towards the thicket of trees. Ethan lingered before following after, his nerves on fire. Today might actually be the day they die. He wasn't ready for that.

    They passed through the line of dark trees, their clothes catching on the sharp limbs—but once they made it through, their breaths caught.

    The view of the black mansion opened before their eyes beautifully, arching up into the sky with its conical spires and medieval-style angles. There were no lights or motion, making the manor seem asleep.

    Ethan took a deep breath, and he looked at Konray. They shared a nod, and they walked up to the porch, the wooden panels creaking beneath their weight. The door was right there... black, worn... and when Konray rose her hand to knock on it, she could feel how cold it was.

    She hesitated, met eyes with Ethan briefly... took a deep breath, and...

    Knocked.

    Tap, tap, tap, the sound echoing throughout the air. Konray took a step back, shoulder brushing against Ethan's. They were both trembling.

    One second molded into three... three into seven... until minutes passed. It felt like an eternity.

    Konray and Ethan exchanged glances.

    "M... maybe—" said Konray. "—he's not... home."

    Ethan breathed hard through his nose, nodding. "S-seems reasonable," he said. "We should just—"

    Footsteps thudded from inside, and they snapped to attention. After another long, tortuous moment, the door creaked open.

    Ethan's heart thudded into his throat.

    There wasn't anyone at first—just a glimpse of the darkness inside—but then there was the red flash of an eye.

    Ethan and Konray froze, trying to appear the least threatening as possible. The eye took in their figures, examined them for a long, long while... and when it registered Ethan's presence, it widened.

    The door fully opened with a creak, revealing the Tear Stealer's tall, domineering figure.

    Ethan's face paled when he met eyes with him, his mouth going dry. He couldn't believe—in all his life—

    "You..." said Dark softly, gazing at Ethan. His red eyes glinted. "You're Mark's friend."

    Ethan blinked, eyes widening—and he glanced over at Konray. She sent him an incredulous stare, and Ethan quickly cleared his throat, floundering for an answer. His mouth felt frozen.

    "Y-yes—" he managed out, trying to hide how hard he was trembling. "How did—how did you—"

    Konray cleared her throat, taking a meager step forward. "Sir, we... we wish to speak with you," she said in her most proper way possible. If this were in any other circumstances, Ethan would have laughed and made fun of her. "It's important."

    Dark eyed her. He didn't recognize her, but if she was Ethan's friend—and Ethan was Mark's—

    Dark glared at her through his lashes. He could never be too careful.

"It depends on what it is," he said smoothly. "The two of you, coming here, uninvited—and on my front door no less—is very foolish."

    Ethan clenched his fists, his fearful trembles melting into those of anger. Konray noticed this, stepping in front of him.

    "It concerns Antinstine," she said, meeting his gaze. Every fibre of her being screamed to run away—to avoid this Evolved at all costs—but she forced herself to keep her ground.

    "And," drawled Dark, voice lowering, "you expect me to let you—two strangers—into my home?"

    Ethan swallowed hard, breaths quivering.

    "We—we mean no harm," said Konray. "We just—"

    "LISTEN HERE, ASSHOLE," spat Ethan. Dark's gaze flicked onto him. "Mark's getting tortured, and I know you're the one BEHIND IT!"

    Konray floundered, trying to get Ethan to shut up. He pushed her away. Walked right up to Dark.

    "You think this is some game, huh?" he cried. "Think you can—you can just USE my friend for your own BENEFIT?"

    Dark's eyes glazed over, and his jaw hardened.

    "Antinstine is EXPERIMENTING ON HIM!!" he yelled, throwing out his arms. His eyes were pure black now, fangs threatening to drip with venom. "Is THAT enough to let us TALK to you? Oh, great Evolved?"

    Ethan's chest heaved, and Dark stood there for a moment, silent. Konray watched with wide eyes, preparing for her death right then and there. And as Dark stood, for a long, long while, Ethan came back to his senses.

    His face paled, and he took a step back, clapping his hands over his mouth.

    "I—"

    Dark carefully rose a hand, silencing him, and took a step back. After a while, he said quietly, "Come in."

    Konray's mouth fell open, and she glanced at Ethan, who looked equally surprised. They hadn't expected to actually go inside, let alone be treated with... hospitality.

    Dark took another step back, gently motioning a hand inside. Ethan gulped, and he bowed his head, stepping past him. Konray hesitantly followed after.

    Maybe he preferred to kill them inside...

    "Follow me," came Dark's voice, which echoed throughout the tall, daunting mansion. Despite the circumstances, Ethan and Konray stared at their surroundings in wonder, eyes wide. They exchanged glances, lingering for a moment, before following after the Tear Stealer.

    They passed through quiet hallways and by unearthly paintings, their footsteps a quiet thud against the velveteen carpet. It wasn't comforting now that they were let inside—if anything, the Tear Stealer's intentions seemed more sinister.

    After a while of walking, they reached an archway, which opened up into a large, sloping living room. It was dark and worn down like the rest of the mansion—save for the crackling, bluish fire far off.

    Near the fire was a glass table, and around it sat a couch and two chairs. Dark motioned towards them, his cloak fluttering as he stopped.

    "Please, sit," he said softly. Ethan and Konray exchanged glances, and they sat down on the couch, bodies tense. Now that they listened closely, Dark sounded... sad. Remorseful.

    Dark circled around the chairs, stooping down towards a liquor cabinet beside the fireplace. He opened it, the drawers clicking throughout the large room, and poured himself a glass of whiskey. He glanced back at his stiff guests, motioning the glass towards them.

    "Care for a drink?" he muttered.

    Offered a drink by the Tear Stealer, the both of them thought. They couldn't believe it.

    Ethan glanced at Konray, and she shook her head.

    "N-no thanks," he said.

    Dark nodded, and he sat down on the chair in front of them, gazing at them through tired eyes. "There's no need to be afraid of me," he said. "I have no intention of hurting you."

    Ethan swallowed at that, the words of little consolation. His eyes wearily followed when Dark took a sip of the whiskey.

    "So," said Dark. "How do you know about Antinstine's... work?"

    Ethan didn't answer, afraid of losing his temper. He glanced at Konray, who faintly nodded.

    "We tapped his mansion," she said. Dark's brows rose at that. "I designed them—untraceable."

    She scooted forward, pressing her fingers together.

    "My name's Konray," she said, voice growing firmer the more she spoke. "I assume you probably know already, but—"

    "You were the one who gave my whereabouts to him," said Dark, motioning towards Ethan.

    Konray wearily chuckled at that. "A mistake, on my part," she said. She then shook her head. "Sir, we... we came here hoping to form an... alliance, of sorts. With you."

    When Dark didn't move, she continued.

    "We've already tapped Antinstine's mansion—we're able to hear whatever goes on in there, even their lab." Her eyes sparkled with intensity. "Sir, he's... he's found out a way to inject... abilities into people."

    She swallowed, gazing at Ethan, who was consumed with a sudden vigor.

    "I heard Mark screaming," he said, throat tight. His fists clenched at his sides. "He's—he's a human! With what they're doing—"

    Dark ran a hand over his face, and Ethan stilled at the gesture. The Tear Stealer looked genuinely... distressed.

    "I'll have Xilef examine you two," said Dark. "After that, I'll decide whether or not to accept your offer."

    He stood up, and Ethan floundered for words, eyes wide.

    "Wait, that's—that's it?"

    "Ethan..."

    "No, I won't—I won't stand for this!" Ethan shouted. He shot out of his seat. "Mark could be dying for all I know, and you're just—you're just—!"

    He heaved for breath, glaring at Dark.

    "I knew you wouldn't care," he spat.

    Dark went still, and the entire room went tense. Konray wavered in her place, holding her head in dismay.

    "What was that?" he breathed, whirling around to face Ethan. He gulped, standing his ground.

    Dark carefully walked forward, looming over Ethan. He went right up in his face, breath hot. The emotion rolled off him in dangerous, burning waves.

    "You think I don't care?" he breathed, eyes narrowing. He stepped forward, chest brushing against Ethan's. He cowered beneath him, breaths trembling.

    "I care more about your friend than you think," spat Dark, his gaze relentless. "Now, if you wish to come out of here unscathed, I suggest you know your place before you speak to me that way." Ethan bared his teeth at that, and Dark's eyes glowed menacingly. "There are much greater things at hand that someone like you wouldn't understand."

    Ethan growled, fists clenching, but Konray quickly pulled him back.

    "That's enough," she whispered, trying to snap him out of it. She gazed at the Tear Stealer, forcing herself to bow her head.

    "Thanks for hearing us out, sir," she said. "I... apologize for Ethan's behaviour."

    Dark took a deep breath and sighed. "There's no need," he said. "I understand his frustration."

    Ethan scoffed at that, and Dark simply ignored him.

    "Stay here," he said. "I'll have Xilef examine you, and from then, we can speak further."

    Konray swallowed and nodded. "See you soon, sir," she said, and he nodded, turning away and out the living room, leaving her and Ethan alone.

    They sat there in silence, staring numbly at the wall.

Once they passed this "examination," they would find out all they could.

Thank you so much for reading!

Have a wonderful day, and stay safe out there! <3

Kass xoxo